Image depicts the Missouri State Reformatory Hospital after a fire that killed a young black man named Joseph St. James. Arrow drawn on the photograph shows which room he was trapped in.
Thespian Hall is the oldest surviving theater building west of the Allegheny Mountains. It was built in 1855-1857 and during the Civil War it was used as military depot, barracks, hospital and later as a prison. In the image shown it was being used as a movie house. The sign advertises showings of the Barbara Stanwyck and Joel McCrea movie "The Great Man's Lady."
Image depicts the oldest surviving theater building west of the Allegheny Mountains standing tall . Here it is nearly 100 years old, having been built between 1855-1857. The sign advertises the 1953 movie "Francis Covers the Big Town" with Donald O'Connor.
Image depicts the George Washington Carver Cottage which was one of four identical cottages built under the improvement program. The cottages played a large part in the rejuvenation of the Missouri Training School for Boys. Much disrepair had been made apparent by Superintendent Tendall in 1948, leading to the Governor's response and reforms.
Image depicts the New Missouri Farmers Association Hog Market facility. The modern new facility has a state approved sewage system, concrete floors, continuous watering as well as numerous holding and sorting pens.
Image depicts a dangerous turn onto a narrow bridge typifying outmoded highways Missouri was seeking to replace by implementing 5 five cent gasoline tax. This picture was taken on U.S. Highway 40 just before the highway crosses the Missouri River.
Image depicts a young man being punished in the small and foul-smelling isolation cell at the overcrowded State Training School for Boys. The institution was not only overcrowded, but suffering from a lack of placement officers who monitor the boys placed on parole. There were only 12 for 800 young offenders on parole.
Image depicts several boys crowded on benches at the State Training School for Boys in Boonville. The school was built for 350 but inmates were near 600.
Image shows the new $110,000 addition to St. Joseph's Hospital which was dedicated and blessed by the Rt. Rev. Thomas F. Lillis of Kansas City. The top right corner of image has been torn off.
Image depicts a thirty foot mural in the library of the new educational building. The mural was created by Sid Larson while he was studying for an advanced degree at the University of Missouri.
Image depicts old cottages at the Missouri Reformatory School for Boys. A new multi-purpose building was completed in March 1970 and boys housed in that year spent 6 months of the year in school for half-day sessions. Each cottage went to the gym two evenings a week and twice during the weekend.
Boys housed in 1970 spent 6 months a year in school for half-day sessions. Each group in the cottages went to the gym during two weekday evenings and twice during the weekend. Recreation included bowling, roller skating, swimming, billiards, volleyball, flip board, weights, basketball, wrestling and of course summer baseball held in our now staff parking lot.
